After Weeks of Criticism, Australian Government Announces New Community Protection Board
In response to mounting criticism over its handling of the release of over 140 immigration detainees, the Australian government has unveiled plans for a new community protection board. The board will be responsible for determining the appropriate level of detention for each individual, including measures such as curfews, supervision, and visa restrictions. This comes after the High Court ruled that indefinite detention was unlawful, leading to the release of several detainees who have since been rearrested.
The announcement of the community protection board aims to address the concerns raised by the High Court ruling. However, Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume has criticized the government, stating that the board’s establishment is a case of shutting the gate after the criminal detainees have bolted. Hume questions why the government did not have the board ready beforehand, anticipating the possibility of such a ruling.
Government Services Minister Bill Shorten defended the government’s response, highlighting the unexpected nature of the High Court’s decision. He emphasized that within approximately 33 days, a new system has been created in response to the court’s ruling.
Hume, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the situation, arguing that the detainees should have been back in detention before Christmas. She called for the resignation of Minister Clare O’Neil and Andrew Giles, or for them to be sacked by Anthony Albanese.
Switching gears, the interview also covered recent comments by Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock regarding the potential for individuals to pay a fee to continue using cash. Bullock highlighted the changing nature of society’s reliance on cash, with a significant reduction in cash transactions over the years. While few people use cash at present, concerns have been raised about the need for cash in unforeseen circumstances, such as technology failures.
Minister Shorten expressed his hope that individuals would not have to pay to use their own cash. Highlighting the decline in cash usage and the increasing costs of cash operations for banks, he stated that this issue should be carefully considered. Hume added that cash is still legal tender and argued against Australians being charged for using their own money.
Overall, the announcement of the community protection board and the discussion surrounding the possibility of paying to use cash highlight ongoing concerns and debates within Australian society. As the government works to address these issues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of the community while also adapting to the changing landscape of financial transactions.
